MSCI has given BHP Billiton a red flag in its MSCI Controversies Research and downgraded BHP Billiton in its ESG Rating Research, a move that could impact on the portfolio construction and screens of asset managers and owners around the world. MSCI recently held a webinar to discuss the circumstances that led to BHP Billiton receiving a red flag in its controversies ratings, and discuss what this could mean for investors. MSCI gave...

RobecoSAM has engaged the Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (ACCSR) for a campaign to encourage more listed Australian companies to complete its Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). RobecoSAM’s CSA is used to construct the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), a sustainability benchmark. ACCSR will conduct a series of events and encourage more organisations to complete the CSA when invitations to...

The world’s largest metal and mining companies are not adequately managing carbon and water risks, and most are unsupportive of new climate regulation, according to the CDP. CDP has published a new report, Making the grade: Are some miners chasing fool’s gold? The report uses data from CDP to assess if the largest metal and mining companies are taking actions including “setting meaningful emissions reduction targets, conducting water...

CDP has named Dexus Property Group and Investa Office Fund the CDP Climate A List Company of the year for 2015 at the launch of its CDP Australian Climate Leadership Report. This year, 94 ASX 200 companies, representing nearly 85% of the total market capitalisation of the ASX200, responded to CDP’s climate change investor information request. CDP reported that Amcor, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Dexus Property Group, IAG, National...

The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) has named Westpac Banking Group and Stockland as industry group leaders in the 2015 indices review. DJSI has also added BHP Billiton as one of the three largest addition to the indices by market capitalisation. The DJSI is a global index that tracks leading sustainability-driven companies based on RobecoSAM’s analysis of financially material environmental, social and governance (ESG...

Innovation in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices can lead to outcomes including retention of staff, creation of new value for shareholders, mitigation of risks, and more efficient allocation of capital, according a panel of experts speaking at the recent launch of the Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (ACCSR)’s annual CSR review. Andrew MacLeod, managing director, Good Super, Ian Wood, vice president...